Project to Improve Methods Courses in Elementary Science

加州州立大学长滩分校将开展一个项目，通过为教授基础科学方法课程的学院和大学教师举办暑期讲习班，来改进基础科学的方法课程。该项目旨在通过加强小学科学方法课程来改善小学生的科学教育，该课程每学期招收大量小学教师。模范教师和科学教师教育专家将举办这些暑期工作坊，参与者将了解最近的研究成果和新的科学教学方法，同时与同事交流想法和建立新的联系。预计这些方法的讲师将返回其本国机构，以促进师范教育的变革，并帮助在其机构的科学和教育学院之间建立联系。暑期讲习班结束后，将通过电子联网、通讯和年度会议进行系统的沟通和持续的后续行动。作为后续活动的结果，将编写一系列基础科学方法课程的资源材料以供传播。将在1990年夏天举办一个试验性讲习班，并在1991年夏天再举办三个讲习班。研讨会将在美国各地的不同地理位置举行，其中一个研讨会将在一所教育大量少数族裔学生的机构举行。该项目的总成本分摊是NSF贡献的24%。

California State University, Long Beach, will carry out a project to improve methods courses in elementary science by conducting summer workshops for college and university instructors who teach the elementary science methods course. The project seeks to improve science education for elementary school children by strengthening the elementary science methods courses which enroll large numbers of elementary preservice teachers each semester. Exemplary instructors and science teacher education specialists will conduct these summer workshops, and the participants will learn about recent research findings and new science teaching methods while exchanging ideas and forging new connections with colleagues. It is anticipated that these methods instructors will return to their home institutions to stimulate change in teacher education and help create links between the science and education faculties at their institutions. Systematic communication and continuing follow-up will take place after the summer workshops through electronic networking, newsletters, and annual meetings. As a result of the follow- up activities, an array of resource materials for elementary science methods courses will be developed for dissemination. A pilot workshop will be conducted during the summer of 1990, and three additional workshops will take place during the summer of 1991. The workshops will be held at various geographical locations throughout the U.S., and one of the workshops will take place at an institution that educates large numbers of minority students. The total cost sharing for the project is 24% of NSF's contribution.